Herbal Medicine the Natural Remedies and Cures we have forgotten

By Hellinoos.

Since ancient times, herbs were evaluated for analgesic and healing abilities. Today a rate of about 75% of the drug based on our healing properties of plants. Our societies through the centuries, they developed their own traditions to fail to understand the medicinal plants and their uses. Some of these traditions and medical practices may seem to us bizarre and magical, while some other logical and rational, but all of them are attempts to overcome the disease and the pain and at the very end to improve the quality of life. These, in a nutshell define herbology.

How to treat colds with natural herbs and remedies

Did you get out of bed with great effort? Do you feel shivering? Does your throat hurt? This is nothing more than the well-established Common Cold, we all catch every once and a while.

The Common Cold is a viral upper respiratory infection, which impairs the immune system and sometimes leads to secondary infections, such as bronchitis. Therefore it is of imminent importance to deal with in its early stages.

The most natural, healthy and economical way to treat it is none other than herbal teas.
In this article I will present to you, some natural recipes that will aid you in recovering very quickly.

Nether-less, if you see that the symptoms do not subside in 5-6 days you must visit a doctor.
So, let’s begin.

Natural herbs that treat Common Cold

Camomile

One of the most favorite herbs, it can be found near populated areas all over Europe and temperate Asia, and has been vastly introduced in temperate North America and Australia. It often grows near roads, in large cultivated or uncultivated fields as a weed, since it’s seeds require open soil to survive.
Apart from other beneficial properties (antibacterial, soothing, constipation etc) chamomile, is excellent against colds and sore throats.

Preparation:

Boil the flowers of chamomile in water, drain and drink the decoction (extract).

Tea

Like chamomile is used most often in cases of flu and colds.

Preparation:

In boiling water, add black tea or mountain tea or whichever tea you prefer (green, white, etc.), strain and drink. If we add and honey it helps soften sore throat.

Ginger

Science has confirmed that ginger can help fight colds. It is ideal for fever, cough, respiratory congestion and nausea. The spicy flavor is what gives it the soothing and antiseptic properties. You will find it in the form of ointments, capsules, tea or fresh. For more immediate results though, choose fresh ginger (you can find it in supermarkets, farmers markets and health stores), and prepare the drink that will relieve you.

Preparation:

In a cup of boiling water, pour a tablespoon of fresh ginger. Strain it and drink it while it is hot. If you want to soften the flavor you can add a little lemon or honey or both (I personally prefer to mix them up).

Eucalyptus

If you find breathing through the nose, harassing and difficult, not only by colds and even asthma, the essential oil of eucalyptus can be your salvation. Eucalyptus, is considered to be an important and strong antiseptic and antibiotic. Inhaling eucalyptus vapors can relieve acute and chronic bronchitis, asthma and sore throat. Calms and soothes cough and soothes sore throats and symptoms of dyspnea (Greek & medical word for shortness of breath) and fever. Choose fresh leaves or even essential oil.

Eukalyptus as a decoction:

Preparation:

Boil a cup of water with a few (2-3) eucalyptus leaves. Leave a little and then drain it. Drink it hot or cold and if you desire add lemon and honey.

Eukalyptus as a natural decongestant:

Preparation:

Fill a pot with water up to the middle, pour in fresh eucalyptus leaves and boil it. Just boil then lower it from the heat and after placing a towel on your head breathe vapors. If you have essential oil, take 10-15 drops in boiled water and do the same.

Echinacea

It is widely used to fight colds, and has strong antimicrobial action but also helps in treating runny nose and boosts the immune system. You will find it in various forms, tincture, root, or capsules (tincture is prefferable). You can also take it as a precaution against cold, but always in moderation, as it can cause an increase in white blood cells and impair the immune system.

Preparation:

Boil a cup of water (not boiling hot) and pour a few drops of tincture or half a teaspoon of echinacea. Before drinking it is suggested to gargle with it, to relieve sore throat.

Cinnamon and cloves

The bark of the cinnamon tree contains a fatty chemical, cinnamaldehyde, which is has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and decreases fever. You can find it in either powder form or sticks although the latter is more preferable.

Preparation:

In a jug of water pour cinnamon sticks and clove pieces and let them boil. Once done, cover it with a lid and leave them on low heat for 15 minutes. When it’s prepared, drink it while it is still hot. You can also add a tablespoon of honey.

Thyme

This plant with excellent properties can have a preventive effect against influenza and troublesome symptoms such as coughing, runny nose etc. We drink drink thyme to soothe sore throats, coughs and bronchitis. Thyme is effective bronchial anticonvulsant and expectorant and has by far the strongest antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Thyme helps us by not letting a simple sore throat be converted to flu, bronchitis, cough, with such a simple but nevertheless extremely efficient way

Thyme can be consumed in either tea or syrup form

How to make tea out of thyme?

Preparation:

Put a pot of water to boil. As soon as the water reaches it’s boiling point, either add two teaspoons of dried thyme or three teaspoons of fresh one. Then cover the pot well with a lid and leave it as is out of the stove, for ten minutes. Strain and drink, if you desire, you can add honey to your beverage.

How to make syrup out of thyme?

Preparation:

To create the syrup boil-in the same manner as above-two cups water and add a cup thyme. Same as before, cover the pot and let it cool down and after strain it well. After straining, you then add three to four tablespoons of honey, enough to make the syrup as thick as possible. You then can place this mixture in a glass container and put in the fridge. Remember to shake well before each use, and take one tablespoon three times a day.

If we have stuffy nose, phlegm, chest pains we can accompany the above with inhalations of essential oil of thyme (You can find it in pharmacies and health stores).

How do we do it?

Preparation:

It's simple, in a medium to large bowl or a small saucepan pour a liter of boiling water and drip to it, four drops of essential oil of thyme, then lean over the bowl or pot-after covering up your head with a towel to avoid loosing vapor and take deep breaths. Repeat the process for about ten minutes.

After the inhalations, we relaxes for half an hour at least in a warm and pleasant space.

Instead of essential oil you can also throw to the bowl with hot water, infusion of thyme that you have previously prepared.

One word of caution, when inhaling steam be extremely careful not to scald or burn your face. Something like that is quite unlikely but nonetheless always be careful.

Mint

Drastically fights colds, coughs, bronchitis, sore throat and flu.

Preparation:

In about half a liter of water, boil some mint leaves and after straining the juices, drink the decoction.

It is one of the favorite herbs of the Cretans. Besides the many other beneficial properties of (wound healing, antispasmodic, sedative, etc.), the drink of erontas is ideal for colds and sore throats.
It is quite rare to find though, however you can search for it in Greek stores and health stores especially stores that sell herbs and spices or organic food stores.

Sage

Sage is a herb with a pungent odor and taste. Among other useful properties of the decoction of sage is used against colds and to soothe the annoying symptoms of pharyngitis.

Garlic

For those brave ones out there who can stand it’s smell, it is ideal for strengthening the immune system and in fighting infections and flu, as it's probably most powerful natural antibiotic there is.

Onion

Fresh onion juice zested from a juicer is a powerful expectorant with strong anti-inflammatory action.

Honey and lemon

We drink daily juice from two fresh lemons, where we add two tablespoons of honey and some cinnamon.

Rakomelo

Rakomelo is a drink made from Greek raki (a Greek unsweetened hard alcoholic drink, in Turkey it is served with anise) and honey. Depending on your preferences, various herbs (sage, etc.), or spices like cinnamon and cloves can be added . Drink it hot to relieve you from the annoying symptoms of colds and flu. Ideal for coughs and colds. Beware though, drink too much of it and you will get totally blitzed…

Vitamin C

Vitamin C can shield the body at the time the flu spreads. Foods that contain vitamin C, are lemons, oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, peppers, cardamom, strawberries, pineapple, cabbage, celery e.t.c. If there isn’t an article about vitamin C, I’ll perhaps cover this topic later on. For the time being you can Google it.

The importance of fluids in fighting cold

It is essential, when you are sick to drink plenty of fluids in order to replenish the fluids you lose. In a glass of water you can also add fresh orange juice or lemon to benefit from vitamin C, which is essential.

16. Vomel V. Influence of a non-specific immune stimulant on phagocytosis of erythrocytes and ink by the reticuloendothelial system of isolated perfused rat livers of different ages. Arzneimittelforschung 34: 691–695, 1984.